Nojima Yasuzo

15 galleries

Nojima Yasuzo
野島 康三
1889-1964

One of Japan's most influential photographers of the twentieth century, Nojima's oeuvre of work ranged from pictorialism to modernism. He also was a publisher and promoter of the arts and operated art galleries in addition to commercial photo studios. Born in Urawa, Saitama Prefecture, Nojima entered Keio University in 1906, and began taking photographs two years later. His earliest works were pictorialist works done in gum-dichromate printing, while during the 1920s he switched to bromoil printing. In addition to his art photography, in 1915, Nojima opened a commercial photo studio called the Mikasa Shashin Ten in Tokyo's Ningyocho district. A few years later in 1919, Nojima opened a newer studio called the Nonomiya Shashin Kan in Tokyo's Kudan district. This luxurious studio employed a number of staff including photo assistants who operated the studio's day-to-day business.

In the early 1930s, influenced by new trends taking place in Europe, especially from Germany, Nojima's photographic style abruptly changed. Abandoning pictorialism, he began producing modernist compositions printed in silver gelatin. At this time, Nojima's influence within the Japanese photographic community grew immensely, mostly due to his embracing and promoting new concepts of photography labeled "shinko shashin", or new photography. It was during this period that Nojima co-founded the photographic journal Koga (Light Pictures; 1932-33) with fellow photographers Nakayama Iwata and Kimura Ihei. Principally funded by Nojima, Koga played an extremely important role in the development of shinko shashin by introducing important theories of photography from abroad and providing an outlet for a younger photographers. Other publishing ventures Nojima undertook included collaborative works with artists including sculptor Nakahara Teijiro in 1921 (monograph), and a multi-volume collection of works by ceramic artist Tomimoto Kenkichi from 1923 to 1927.

Nojima was also passionate a supporter of the arts and operated galleries at his own expense including the Kabutoya Gado from gallery from 1919 to 1920 in Tokyo's Jimbocho district. He also held exhibitions by rising artists including members of the Shirakaba-ha (White Birch Group), a literary movement that included painters Umehara Ryuzaburo (1888-1986) and Kichida Ryusei (1891-1929) in a salon located in his own home.

Nojima who also went by the name of Nojima Hiromasa, retreated from photography in the 1940s and died in Hayama in 1964. Posthumously, museums in Japan and around the world continue to exhibit and promote his work, especially the The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto which holds the bulk of his archive and life work.

Nonomiya Shashin Kan
Young Tanaka Takeo, April 17, 1922.
From the Nonomiya Shashin Kan (Nonomiya Photographic Studio) which was owned and operated by Nojima Yasuzo. On the back of the studio enclosure is an inscription giving the date, name and age of the boy.
Gelatin silver print with embossed studio name in the recto.
Print size: 2 3/4 in. x 4 1/8 in. (69 mm x 104 mm).
Studio enclosure size (when folded up): 4 7/8 in. x 8 in. (125 mm x 204 mm).
Offered as part of a collection of images by Nojima's Tokyo studios.
Click on the thumbnails to view scans.

Nonomiya Shashin Kan
Six year old boy whose family name is Azuma, September 23, 1924.
From the Nonomiya Shashin Kan (Nonomiya Photographic Studio) which was owned and operated by Nojima Yasuzo. On the face of the studio overlay mat is an inscription giving the date, name and age of the boy.
Gelatin silver print with embossed studio name in the recto.
Print size: 2 3/4 in. x 4 1/8 in. (69 mm x 104 mm).
Studio enclosure size (when folded up): 4 7/8 in. x 8 in. (125 mm x 204 mm).
Offered as part of a collection of images by Nojima's Tokyo studios.
Click on the thumbnails to view scans.

Attributed to Nojima Yasuzo
Nonomiya Shashin Kan
Portrait of a young lady, 1920s.
From the Nonomiya Shashin Kan (Nonomiya Photographic Studio) which was owned and operated by Nojima Yasuzo. This image is thought to have been taken by Nojima himself.
Toned bromide gelatin silver print with embossed studio name in the recto.
Print size: 3 3/4 in. x 5 1/2 in. (95 mm x 140 mm).
Offered as part of a collection of images by Nojima's Tokyo studios.
Click on the thumbnails to view scans.

Nonomiya Shashin Kan
Group portrait of students. An inscription on the reverse of the print lists their names and ages between 19 to 25, with an older gentleman, aged 30, thought to be their teacher or tutor. Also inscribed is the date Showa year '2 or '3 (1927 or 1928). From the Nonomiya Shashin Kan (Nonomiya Photographic Studio) which was owned and operated by Nojima Yasuzo.
Toned bromide gelatin silver print with embossed studio name in the recto.
Print size: 8 in. x 5 3/8 in. (204 mm x 137 mm).
Offered as part of a collection of images by Nojima's Tokyo studios.
Click on the thumbnails to view scans.

Nonomiya Photographic Studio price list, 1920s.
Foldout price list printed both sides, from the Nonomiya Shashin Kan (Nonomiya Photographic Studio), which was owned and operated by Nojima Yasuzo. This image is thought to have been taken by Nojima himself.
Late 1920s - early 1930s.
Size: 8 in x 5 1/5 in. (204 mm x 128 mm).
Offered as part of a collection of images by Nojima's Tokyo studios.
Click on the thumbnails to view scans.